The Calgary Stampeders have suffered their first serious injury of 2006 and training camp is still two months away.

All-star linebacker George White, 28, ruptured his Achilles tendon during a pickup basketball game and could be out until June, the start of the regular season.

The injury happened while White was in his hometown of Cleveland.

"It's an injury that can take five or six months to rehab so we should have him back by the end of May or early June," said GM Jim Barker last night, noting the injury occurred six weeks ago. "George believes he'll be ready to play by then.

"We still have (safety) Trey Young who can play linebacker and we also acquired (safety) Wes Lysack last year who can also play linebacker."

A two-time All-Canadian, White led the CFL last season with 116 tackles.

Barker added White's injury will force the club to recruit additional linebackers for training camp, slated to begin in mid-May.

Stampeders president Ted Hellard said a serious Achilles tendon injury could be career-threatening but it has already been surgically repaired.

"An Achilles is tough to come back from," Hellard said. "But he's only 28, so the prognosis is pretty good. Yet you never know with these types of injuries."

Hellard added he obviously preferred a serious injury such as this to happen in January as opposed to training camp. He also said there are no stipulations in Stamps contracts preventing players from participating in potentially dangerous off-season activities.